JATROPHA CURCAS: OTHER USES
LIVING FENCE
Jatropha curcas is “widely cultivated in the tropics as a living fence in fields and settlements.” (1)
“Jatropha “living fences” in Mali not only control unwanted animal access to the fields; they also reduce wind erosion and, if planted parallel to slopes to fix small earth or stone dams, they help control water erosion. The plant’s roots grow close to the ground surface, anchoring the soil like miniature dikes or earthen bunds. These dikes effectively slow surface runoff during intensive downpours, which are common, thus causing more water to penetrate into the soil and boosting harvests.” (2)
SOAP
“The [jatropha] oil is also a raw material for soap production that generates income for local women producers.” (1)
“The traditional soap-making process is very labor-intensive…When Jatropha oil is used, either alone or in combination with other local plant oils such as shea butter, larger amounts of a more refined soap are produced. The women can easily sell this soap in local markets and nearby towns, increasing their possibilities of earning income with local resources.” (2)
HUNTING POISON
“The stem bark or latex [from jatropha] is a fishing poison in some parts of Africa and the Philippines.” (3)
Read more about Jatropha Curcas below:
SOURCES
Heller, Joachim. Physic nut. Jatropha curcas L. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops 1. Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben/International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome. 1996
Henning, Reinhard K. “Using the Indigenous Knowledge of Jatropha:The use of Jatropha curcas oil as raw material and fuel.” IK Notes. World Bank. 2002
Abdelgadir, H.A., and J. Van Staden. “Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology, and Toxicity of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae): A Review” South African Journal of Botany, vol. 88, 2013, pp. 204-218.